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SACD in a year
SACD in 2021: Hard Fight for Displaced Syrians' Rights
2021 has seen SACD fully assume its position of a voice of displaced Syrians recognized in key decision making forums, with access and ability to make the policy makers aware of the position and rights of displaced Syrians when discussing policies that affect them.
We continued to struggle on several key fronts: documenting and reporting on the ongoing displacement, fighting premature return, establishing the concept of safe environment as the key precondition for safe and dignified return and any hope for a lasting peace in Syria and preventing normalisation of a regime that continues a systematic policy of displacement, repression and demographic change.
We strived to engage in all relevant forums, from the direct contact with diplomats and decision makers of key countries and institutions involved in Syria as a credible source of information and position on behalf of displaced Syrians.
Our ability to engage and mount impactful advocacy efforts was significantly affected by the ongoing Covid pandemic, but we persevered. The highlights of that work are presented in the review and include the effort to dispel any notion among the policy makers that elections are possible in Syria under the Syrian regime and in absence of a safe environment that not only guarantees the free and fair participation of all Syrians but also their safe return to their homes.
In 2021, SACD provided policy makers ample, ongoing analysis of the failure of the so-called reconciliation agreements as a model to be considered as relevant in the context of discussions on return. The most striking example of this failure, which continues to drive Syrians into displacement towards the North and further towards Turkey and Europe, is that of Daraa. The deteriorating security situation in Daraa illustrated the safe environment as defined by Russia. In that "safe environment" Syrians still suffer from murder, kidnapping, arrest, displacement and death while trying to flee.
Through a series of conversations with senior officials and experts, we strived to illuminate the Syria-focused policies of some of the key countries such as Turkey, Germany, Lebanon, and Denmark.
Denmark came into a sharp focus of our advocacy due to its flawed, inhumane policy of stripping Syrian refugees from Damascus and its countryside of protection under the explanation that it is safe for them to return. The policy remains in place despite the joint effort of SACD, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other groups, which continue to document and inform the relevant actors that Syria, including Damascus, is far from safe for returnees.
SACD has invested significant effort to change the conversation on the delivery of aid to North Syria, which remains subject to open blackmail of Russia in the UN Security Council. In this effort, we secured support of leading international law experts to present an alternative to the current status quo which allows for a brutal weaponization of aid against the most vulnerable among the displaced Syrians.
SACD continued to lead on providing a deep, detailed insight into opinions and perceptions of Syrians living under the Syrian regime and documenting a reality in which horror of repression has been normalized.
Unfortunately, one of the main fronts where we needed to intervene and dismantle the narrative of normalisation of the Syrian regime as a "guarantor of security" to returnees was that of public statements given by the most senior UNHCR officials in Syria.
The intensifying efforts of some countries and international institutions to normalize the Syrian regime in a situation where it continues to repress, murder, displace and torture countless Syrians, have also become the subject of our advocacy effort. One of the key puzzles in that picture is the role of the UN and international aid agencies in Syria. We have engaged some of the most senior policy makers in relevant countries and institutions on the issue, seeking greater transparency of the oversight mechanism which is supposed to ensure the end of corruption and the regime's control of the aid sector in Syria.
In 2022 we will continue to face enormous challenges as the world continues to turn its head away from the plight of the Syrian people, and displaced Syrians in particular. But, as before, we commit to strive to do even more and to elevate the rights of displaced Syrians to the top of the agenda in all conversations on the future of the country. We will fight for the rights of displaced Syrians everywhere, for a safe environment for all Syrians in Syria, for the right to a safe, dignified and voluntary return, for the displaced Syrians inherent right to define the conditions of return, against premature return and against any decisions harmful and detrimental to the rights of displaced people. We are committed to the cause of millions of displaced people who may have lost everything, but will never give up on their dignity and rights. We will continue to build a powerful movement which will make sure that no decision is taken in our name, without our voice being heard and taken into account. For we are Syria.
SACD in 2021: The Timeline
- January 2021
By the end of 2020, the Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity (SACD) published one of its most important briefings yet about demographic change in Syria, examining the impact of forced displacement on various Syrian communities and the role and the goals of regime in cementing of their displacement. The briefing aimed to highlight some of the key elements of regime policies of demographic change and illustrate its impact on the affected communities, as well as discuss ways to reverse these changes.
It is now clear that for the Syrian regime and its Iranian and Russian allies, the forced displacement of millions of Syrians since 2011 is not a mere consequence of the conflict, but a systematic policy to achieve their strategic goals.
We marked the anniversary of 15 Jan 2013, when residents of Aleppo were shocked by the detonation of a missile at the University of Aleppo. Another hit the university housing, crammed with displaced people. Dozens were killed on the spot, hundreds wounded. SACD published an article to remind the world of the Assad crimes in Syria and its indiscriminate and systematic targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
On 18 January, the UN Human Rights Council discussed Lebanon's record on human rights. Lebanese government in its National Report for the 2020 UPR addressed the living conditions of Syrian refugees in only three paragraphs. SACD published an analysis that explains the reality of the situation of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
SACD, alongside 30 local and international organizations, signed a letter addressed to the UNHCR and the international community calling upon them to exercise their power to prevent the forced return of Syrian refugees under duress or pressure from Lebanon to Syria and protect them from refoulment.
SACD was adamant in refusing any elections held under the Syrian regime in absence of any safe environment that not only guarantees the free and fair participation of all Syrians but also their safe return to their homes. Hence, in January, SACD published a 12-page briefing, complemented by a survey of 500 displaced Syrians, which illustrates a key point: fair and free elections are impossible without a comprehensive political solution and a safe environment for all Syrians. Under the hashtag #TheIllegitimateSyrianElection, the Association also participated in a global campaign where Syrians from all over the world refused the sham elections
At the end of January, we highlighted the plight of displaced Syrians enduring the harshest winter conditions hitting north Syria in every January of every year. Thousands of families living in camps in Atma in northern Idlib, displaced as a result of the Syrian regime's criminal attacks, still refuse to return to live under the regime and would rather live in makeshift camps and endure the harsh winter conditions than enduring the regime's killings and torture.
- February 2021
Three years after the Syrian regime concluded the reconciliation agreement with the opposition forces in Daraa it keeps breaching it on various fronts. These breaches revealed that the Russian reconciliation agreements have continuously failed to deliver the security and peace promised by the regime.
In February we analyzed how the deteriorating security situation in Daraa best illustrates the "safe environment" as defined by Russia, and what reality for all of Syria would be if Russia was to "guarantee" safe environment for millions of displaced Syrians.
In February we launched a series of conversations with current and former officials and experts from countries whose policies have major impact on displaced Syrians, seeking to illuminate some of the key policies, decisions and plans of these countries.
In the first such interview, Yasin Aktay, a sociologist, social activist, Deputy Chairman of the ruling AK party in Turkey, and chief advisor to the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, explains Turkey's position on a number of issues impacting displaced Syrians, including the prospects of safe and dignified return to Syria, the integration of Syrians in Turkey, Turkey-EU relations on the issue of refugees, and Turkey's vision of a political solution in Syria.
The Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity released a statement expressing serious concern at the actions of the de-facto authorities of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Deir Ezzor, which are causing an increase in displacement and insecurity in the area. We noted with concern that the different protests in the region have now become interrelated and that the policies of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in Deir Ezzor are increasing the fears among the local population in the area, pushing them to leave their towns and villages.
SACD asserted that the international institutions and key states involved in the area take note of the effects of the SDF's arbitrary decision on forced recruitment of teachers in Deir Ezzor and other decisions affecting the local population adversely.
On the issue of the Syrian sham presidential elections, SACD's Dr Marwan Nazhan wrote an article titled "Elections in Syria are science fiction without a comprehensive political solution" expressing how it is utterly pointless to discuss any elections held by the Syrian regime as anything but a macabre spectacle where masses are forced to participate in a farce orchestrated by a dictator and the system that keeps him in power.
In any country with minimal respect citizenship and human rights of its citizens, elections are the primary medium of expressing the will and the voice of the people. For decades, we Syrians have not had circumstances where elections would have any meaning beyond a false legitimization of the Assad regime, first Hafez and then his successor Bashar.
February 2021 marked the 39th anniversary of the notorious Hama Massacre and SACD published an article to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the massacre, and to remind the world why Syria will never be safe while the Assad regime is still in power. For ever since Hafez al-Assad came to power in 1970, the main features of the security policy used to consolidate his rule in Syria was to exclude all opposition voices and create a loyal militia as one of the main pillars of his rule. Hama province was one of the first Syrian governorates to suffer the effects of this policy built on the exclusion of the majority population in Syria and entrenchment of securitized, sectarian rule.
Moreover, SACD held an interview with Fernande van Tets, author of 'Four Seasons in Damascus' and former communications officer at UNRWA in Damascus, where she explained about UN's role in Syria, the dilemmas it faces, and whether Syria is safe for return of the displaced. "Personally, I do not feel that any part of Syria is safe to return to at the moment. The protection thresholds for return that the UN set out in 2018 have not been met. The voluntary returns that have taken place show that it is not safe to do so", van Tets said to SACD.
Finally, SACD expressed its concern over the Syrian parliament's decision to pass an amendment to Decree No.11 of 2011 allowing foreigners with residency permits to own property, which raises concerns about Assad regime efforts to change the demographic reality in Syria to achieve its "useful Syria" goal.
- March 2021
Syrians have contradictory feelings in the month of March. On the eighth of March of 1963, the army seized power in Syria with a political cover from Al-Ba'ath Party and ended the democratic life in Syria, while on the fifteenth of March of 2011 witnessed the rise of the popular demonstrations calling for freedom and democracy, encouraged by the Arab Spring. This eventually turned into an armed confrontation in response to the brutal and unjustified repression by the regime, leading to the displacement of more than half of the Syrian people.
On the tenth anniversary of the Syrian Revolution, SACD took part in the global commemoration of the day Syrians took it to the streets to demand freedom and dignity.
On this day, SACD aimed to capture the voices of all Syrians, wherever they were, and convey their dreams of living with freedom and dignity in Syria. As such, our campaign focused on the "Syrian Dream" and "Karama" (dignity). Each voice, idea, and dream, is a pillar to create the safe environment Syrians aimed for from the very first day. This safe environment is the way for Syrians to achieve their goals and hopes they deserve and their rights with the dignity and freedom they have been struggling for during the last 10 years.
In March, SACD sought to illuminate international community's inability to achieve a solution to end the Syrian tragedy. We also continued the series of conversations with current and former officials and experts from countries whose policies have major impact on displaced Syrians we set out to discuss some of the key policies, decisions and plans of key countries.
In a rich, candid interview, Dr. Bente Scheller, Director of the Middle East section in the Heinrich Boell Foundation, who has served in the German embassy in Damascus between 2002-2004 and has written extensively on Syria and the political aspects of the crisis, addressed a wide spectrum of issues, from the process of integration of Syrian refugees in Germany to the analysis of Germany's vision for the safe and dignified return of displaced Syrians, while stressing that "Germany should think about integrating, not returning Syrian refugees."
On the occasion of International Womens' Day, SACD asserted that it is important to shed light on the plight of displaced Syrian women: What caused their displacement? Do they feel safe? Do they want return to their original homes? What needs to be done for them to have a safe and dignified return? Any political solution that does not take women's specific perceptions into account, or that forces them into a return that is not safe and dignified, could generate strong push factors that drive secondary displacement towards perceived safety.
- April 2021
On the 18th of April, the Syrian Association for Citizen Dignity launched a public campaign to commemorate the first peaceful sit-in since the outbreak of popular protests more than ten years ago: the New Clock Square sit-in in Homs. Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in the main square of Homs and declared a peaceful sit-in, demanding Bashar Assad to resign after the funerals of a number of protesters were shot dead the previous day.
The commemoration of the Homs New Clock sit-in, the horrific massacre that followed it, and other painful events that the Syrian people have lived, confirms the commitment that our people will continue to pursue their goal of achieving a free and dignified life free of tyranny.
Four years after the signing of the "Four Towns Agreement", the Syrian regime and Russia have not held onto their promises and obligations. A group of displaced Syrians from Madaya and Zabadani wrote an article explaining why they do not see any return reasonable or acceptable under the current circumstances. The safe return can only happen if there was reparation and compensation for the harm and loss the people endured, as well as the establishment of a safe and neutral environment, preceded by confidence-building measures such accountability for those who committed crimes and were involved, whether they are local or foreign officials, and the release of the detainees and reveal of the fate of the disappeared.
The month of April marked the third anniversary of the catastrophic and painful displacement of Douma. After the imposed siege that lasted for years and dozens of attempts by the regime to storm the region and end the presence of the opposition, the Syrian regime, with the support of the Russian forces, began a military campaign that lasted nearly two months. The Russian and regime forces succeeded in taking large parts of eastern Ghouta, which was controlled by opposition groups, and displaced its people to the opposition-controlled areas in northern Syria.
Mouaz Bowaydani wrote an article explaining that as long as Russia continues to support the regime of Bashar Assad, it is impossible to achieve a safe, neutral and appropriate environment for the dignified, safe, voluntary and sustainable return of the city's displaced people to their homes and properties, as well as compensation and reparation for them.
Finally, SACD's Haya Atassi held a conversation with Marie Forestier, researcher and advisor on refugee and migrant issues at Amnesty International on the latter's report, which documented cases of Syrian refugees being arbitrarily detained on terrorism-related charges and tortured in Lebanon. The discussion revolved around the Lebanese state's responsibility to protect Syrian refugees from being arbitrarily detained, tortured, and falsely accused of terrorism-related charges. It also held that the international community has a moral and humanitarian responsibility to protect Syrian refugees in Lebanon, in line with international treaties on torture, refugee protection, and the principle of non-refoulment.
- May 2021
The Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity dedicated the month of May to present how the regime-held presidential elections in Syria are a mere farce, lacking any legitimacy or credibility in the absence of a comprehensive political solution.
SACD published ten reasons extensively explaining why elections in Syria are impossible in the current circumstances. The reasons included constitutional, security and logistical impediments to the participation of not only displaced Syrians around the world, but also Syrians living inside Syria, both in opposition-held and regime-held areas. The Association also participated in a global campaign to express rejection of any elections held under the Syrian regime and in absence of a safe environment.
As part of SACD's participation in the campaign refusing #TheIllegitimateSyrianElection, Dr Mazen Kseibi, member of SACD Board of Trustees sent a message reminding the world that "Tens of thousands of forcibly disappeared and detained Syrians, and millions of displaced Syrians, cannot vote in these farce elections." Wassim Al Hajj, member of SACD Board of Trustees, also asserted "There's no legitimacy to any elections without a comprehensive political solution that fulfills the conditions of the safe environment & removes the main cause of Syrian suffering, which is the Syrian regime."
In past years, there has been a documented pattern of Syrian refugees in Lebanon being forced to vote ever since they fled Syria. Many fear backlash, or deportation, if they did not present and vote, which has become an existential issue for them.
Haya Atassi, from SACD's public relations team, discussed this issue with Hanna Roberts, an elections expert working with IFES, Vladimir Pran, an electoral advisor, Kareem Chehayeb, a Lebanese journalist who covers Syria and Dr Hala Ghawi, member of SACD Board of Trustees. The discussion focused on the fact that Syria is far away from holding any free and fair elections, and that conducting credible elections in the current circumstances is just science fiction and impossible. Hence, these elections are just an illegitimate exercise in entrenching of the dictatorial rule of this regime.
SACD member Mounir al-Fakir, who is a a founding partner in the Association of Detainees and Missing Persons of Sednaya Prison and himself a former detainee at Sednaya prison, wrote on his dream of elections in Syria insisting that "talking about elections when there is not even a prospect of a safe environment for all Syrians is not only a waste of time, but in fact dangerous."
Al-Fakir explained how there are several obstacles that need to be surpassed in order to hold free and fair elections, where Syrians are not only free to vote but also free to run for office. Such elections require a comprehensive framework that Syrians perceive to be legitimate, which can only be implemented as part of a comprehensive and sustainable political solution that guarantees a safe environment for all Syrians, including the displaced.
The month of May also witnessed a wave of public demonstrations erupting in various parts of Al-Hasakah governorate as part of inclusive and unique protests following Resolution 119 issued by the Executive Council for Autonomous Administration in Northeast Syria to raise fuel prices. These demonstrations resulted from poor living conditions, which include the lack of electricity and water, exorbitant food prices, administrative corruption, decision-making being in the hands of foreigner members of the SDF, and the disregard of the interests of Syrian citizens.
The Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity issued a statement stressing that this public movement is a dangerous indication of a situation that has been worsening for a long time, which will inevitably lead to more waves of displacement. Moreover, this situation is exacerbated by the return of ISIS influence in areas and towns under the control of the SDF. All this has been accompanied by the policies of the Autonomous Administration, which is based on corruption, suppression of freedoms and discrimination, while the original people of the region are still refugees in camps in northern Iraq, neighboring countries and Europe.
On the other hand, SACD has monitored the painful events that led to the displacement of Syrian citizens from the village of Um Batneh in al-Quneitra to northern Syria. SACD was keen on closely following up on the situation with the aim of compiling accurate information from eyewitnesses, and those directly involved, in order to understand the reasons behind their displacement from their original place of residence, as well as the circumstances that led to their arrival to northern Syria.
As a result, SACD issued a statement to strongly condemn the forced displacement carried out by the Iranian forces against the Syrians in the village of Um Batneh firstly by bombing the village and then arresting and extorting some of its residents. In addition, SACD denounced the way in which some factions of the Syrian National Army (SNA) treated the displaced who have reached the northern countryside of Aleppo, and reaffirmed that the crime of forced displacement against the Syrian people continues in Syria, and that the only solution to end the waves of internal displacement and asylum is to create a safe environment for all Syrians.
Nonetheless, SACD expressed its solidarity with the rights of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah and stressed that what's been happening in Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem, capital of Palestine, is another example of the forced displacement that Palestinians and Syrians alike have been enduring for years, which shows the similarities between authoritarian Assad regime and Israeli Occupation.
- June 2021
On World Refugee Day, the Syrian Association for Citizen's Dignity published a detailed overview of how Denmark's decision to withdraw protection for Syrian refugees from Damascus and its countryside is in breach of Article (3) of the European Convention on Human Rights, UNHCR's protection thresholds on return and the official position of the European Commission.
The published materials detail the exchange between SACD and the Danish Minister of Immigration and Integration, Mattias Tesfaye, initiated by our efforts to provide evidence that Syria is not safe for returnees, contrary to the assessment of COI reports by the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration and the Danish Immigration Service.
SACD invested significant efforts in advocacy with Denmark authorities and concerned EU bodies to relay how dangerous Danish decision to strip Syrian refugees from protection is and explaining the danger awaiting Syrians should they be forced to return back to an unsafe Syria.
In addition, the Syrian Association for Citizen's Dignity joined 124 Syrian organizations and networks to reiterate that there is no alternative for the cross-border modality in Syria. All signatories called on the United Nations Security Council member states to renew their commitment to the neutrality of humanitarian assistance and to renew the cross-border resolution.
SACD published true stories among hundreds of stories that document the oppression and harassment faced by Syrian refugees who were forced, due to hard living conditions, to return to areas under the control of the Syrian regime, where one of the returnees warned: "This is a criminal regime that never keeps its promises… Beware, no one should ever believe their words."
Ghassan Rahmi explains the politics which led to Denmark's inhumane policy on Syrians and warns that "If the world remains silent, some 35000 Syrians will be in risk of splitting, losing their livelihoods or being forced to flee again. This time with nowhere to go."
Eight years after its fall, a city in the southern countryside of Homs, Al Qusayr, became Hezbollah's gateway to Syria and a launching pad for its operations in the country, as well as a most blatant example of the participation of regime's allies in the policy of demographic change.
- July 2021
During the month of July, SACD worked to move the conversation on humanitarian aid to north-west Syria away from the Russian blackmail at the UN Security Council, clearly demonstrating there is every moral, political and, most importantly, legal argument for the aid to Idlib to continue even if the UNSC approval is withheld. SACD addressed the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator and key states involved in discussions on Syria with reasons as to why such aid is legal, and presented its recommendations on the issue.
In addition, SACD supported dozens of Syrian organizations who formed a human chain near Bab al-Hawa crossing in support cross-border aid resolution renewal. The closure of this crossing will cause an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and displacement towards Europe and Turkey. The Association also held a campaign under hashtag #AidtoIdlibIsNotIllegal to assert that humanitarian aid is an indispensable rights to all Syrians and must not be politicized nor compromised.
Toby Cadman, one of 35 international law experts who in 2014 issued an opinion which establishes why the UN SC approval is not a condition for the aid to opposition-held areas of Syria to be legal, spoke to SACD in support of its advocacz on the issue. In a conversation with Refik Hodzic, he reiterated this position, speaks about the need for greater transparency of the UN OLA and explains the political nature of the paralysis which threatens millions of lives in northern Syria.
In a similar conversation with Rebecca Barber, an Australian scholar of international law, we discussed the sources of assumption that the UN SC must approve cross border aid to Idlib, and alternative approaches that could end Russia's chokehold threatening more than 3 million people with starvation.
Amid the horrifying events taking place in Daraa and Idlib, the Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity called on the key countries and the United Nations agencies involved in Syria to urgently elevate the issue of displacement of Syrians and the creation of a safe environment for their safe, voluntary and dignified return to the top of the political discussion on the future of the country.
The deteriorating security situation in Daraa illustrated the safe environment as defined by Russia. In that "safe environment" Syrians still suffer from murder, kidnapping, arrest, displacement and death while trying to flee. Daraa continues to show a microcosm of what the reality for all of Syria would be if Russia was to "guarantee" safe environment for millions of displaced Syrians.
Ironically, while the Assad regime and Russia are talking about the return of displaced Syrians, the regime was forcing Syrian citizens to leave Daraa to north Syria, while bombing north Syria and forcing already displaced Syrians to flee to Turkey and Europe.
- August 2021
In August, the Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity published a briefing on its latest 91-page report on security and living conditions in Assad-held Syria, which sums up the outcomes of 533 interviews with Syrians living under Assad in different governorates, and comes as the fourth such report tracking perceptions and attitudes of both displaced Syrians and those who never left their areas.
This report is yet another contribution by SACD to the ongoing effort to shrink the space for denial of the reality of the dire state of affairs in Syria among the relevant policymakers. The fourth such report issued by SACD, it offered an insight into the views and perceptions of Syrians on some of the most relevant issues that must shape any conversation on the possibility of a safe, voluntary and dignified return of displaced Syrians and the eventual political solution that could offer a hope of a lasting peace in Syria.
The report refuted any argument that claims Syria is safe. The absence of military operations is in no way an indicator of safety, as the security authorities grip and the high crimes rate makes Syrians feel less secure than ever. And Daraa is a living example.
Ten years into the Syrian conflict, the Syrian society is disintegrating further and deeper with each passing day of the continuing displacement of more than half of its population, the continuing and increasing repression and corruption of the Syrian regime, fragmentation of the country as various state and non-state actors seek to cement their presence and influence, and the complete collapse of the political process.
Syrian refugees in Lebanon are often scapegoated as a key reason for the government's inability to deal with the mounting crisis. The Lebanese government has recently announced a plan to organize the return of Syrians, claiming that Syria is safe for returns. Yet forcing Syrian refugees to return violates the universal principle of non-refoulement and sends them back to an unsafe, life-threatening Syria. The dehumanization and discrimination against Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and elsewhere, must end. Syria is not safe for any returns. Refugees are humans who deserve the right to live with dignity and safety.
The practices by Assad regime in Syria to seize properties of absentees, most recently in Deir Ezzor, particularly owned by displaced people, became "de facto" as a result of the lack of seriousness of international community in dealing with this crisis. Diaa Abu Zaid, member of SACD's Monitoring Unit, wrote an article explaining how these arbitrary measures allow the regime to consolidate its policies and give it the appearance of local legitimacy after the theatrical play of the last presidential elections, resulting in more obstacles to achieving rights of displaced people.
Campaigns of arrest and enforced disappearance are still ongoing in Syria, including against those covered by "reconciliation agreements" and those who have been included in regime-issued amnesty, highlighting a lack of any kind of security guarantee in Syria. What is happening in Daraa right now is a live example of the failure of these "reconciliation agreements" on Russia and the regime's behalf, and their lack of commitment to building any confidence measures. One of the main key findings in SACD's latest report indicated that Syrian regime's and Russian guarantees mean nothing in practice.
The Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity announced on August 28th the formation of the Hasaka Governorate Assembly, which is the 7th SACD assembly among other assemblies that constitute the body of the Association.
On the International Day of the Disappeared, we remembered all Syrians arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared by Assad forces. Thousands of Syrian families have been living in unbearable pain for past years with no closure on whereabouts of their loved ones.
The Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity called upon the United Nations in Syria and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to immediately cease all plans to transfer displaced Syrians from Rukban camp to areas under control of the Syrian regime. While Syrians living in Rukban camp endure extremely harsh living conditions, returning them to areas under Assad control poses serious threats to their lives such as unlawful killings, forced disappearance, arbitrary arrest, extortion and harassment. Our message to the UN and SARC was that they must uphold their responsibility as international institutions not only to provide immediate and urgent relief aid but also to protect lives.
At the same time, contrary to information provided from the ground by a large number of Syrian and international organizations, the Danish government continued to claim that Damascus and its countryside are safe for Syrian refugees to return.
This policy targeting Syrian refugees is based on the incorrect assessment of the Danish Immigration Service (DIS) that "the security situation in Damascus and rural Damascus has improved significantly", resulting in cancellation of the protection of Syrians originally from Damascus, leaving them with a choice of internment or return to an unsafe Syria.
The Syrian Association for Citizen's Dignity has shown in its latest survey report, Normalization of Horror, that areas under Assad control are very far from being a safe. While Denmark's policy failed to document and relay the real threats facing refugees if they were to return, it is forcing Syrians to make the choice of returning back to an unsafe Damascus. However, safety in Syria cannot be compartmentalized. Nowhere in Syria is safe.
People think it's not safe for return, but think return is a necessary for the future for the country and any political settlement. SACD's latest survey report, Normalization of Horror, has shown that only 26 percent of participants recommended displaced people to come back to regime-controlled areas and approximately half of participants are seeking to leave such areas; there is still an overwhelming belief in the need for displaced people to come back and play a major role in the reconstruction and stabilization of the country. 70 percent of the participants think that the return of the displaced is a prerequisite for Syria's recovery.
As if the Syrians' suffering cannot become worse, the Covid-19 catastrophe happening in Idlib came at a devastating time as the Syrian regime and its allies intensified their attacks, killing and wounding dozens of civilians. The survey report from September found that 58 percent of those infected with the virus did not receive the necessary health care, where respondents indicated that they cannot access appropriate medical care due to high costs and restrictions.
- October 2021
In October, Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity responded to UNHCR's head Fillipo Grandi's scandalous statements made during his mission to Syria. In the first he openly admitted that UNHCR is coordinating with the regime of Bashar al Assad on the return of displaced Syrians and the creation of conditions for return of Syrian refugees from abroad. In the second he went even further, explicitly placing the faith in the Syrian regime to ensure security for returnees.
In response forwarded to representatives of key countries and institutions involved in Syria, the fourteen members of the SACD Board of Trustees wrote: "We aware that the horror and shock of the millions of Syrians are easy to ignore for most of the decision-makers drunk on the supposed supremacy of realpolitik over the notions of justice and rights. However, we must ask the question: what do those who think that normalisation of Assad is the solution to the Syrian nightmare believe will happen as a result?
The UNHCR must cease the misleading messaging on the "improving security situation" for returnees. It must improve communication, information, and counseling with displaced Syrians to ensure they are aware of all factors and conditions that might impact their returns decisions. Syria is not safe under the Assad regime. Syria is not safe for any returns.
On October 20, children on their way to school were attacked in Ariha with scores of civilians killed and wounded. Most of the people in Idlib are Syrians displaced by the Syrian regime, which together with Russia continues such attacks on daily basis. SACD expressed its shock that UNHCR ignored this reality and continued to send messages which can lead displaced Syrians to believe that security conditions exist for their return. Nothing could be further from the truth."
Six years since the Russian intervention in Syria, an intervention the Syrian regime and Russia like to term as "war on terror", have shown that the intervention was never anything but a war on the Syrians themselves.
SACD published an analysis detailing how the latest agreement signed in Daraa is yet another example of the forced displacement in Syria perpetrated by Syrian regime and its Russian and Iranian allies to establish the goal of 'useful Syria' regardless of how outrageous and inhuman the price is.
The decision by the Interpol to lift the corrective measures imposed upon the Syrian regime a decade ago came at a time when international reports are being issued documenting the hideous violations the regime commits against Syrian returnees. The Syrian Association for Citizen's Dignity warned against the potential danger of readmitting the Syrian regime into Interpol for the imminent threat such move could cause upon 6.8 million Syrian refugees and asylum seekers.
SACD trustee Wasim Alhaj sent a message from Al-Hurriya hospital in Marea in north Aleppo warning against the imminent and catastrophic collapse of health system in north Syria due to spike in COVID19 cases: "Out of 4 million population, at least 750,000 cases have been recorded so far."
- November 2021
The overwhelming impression obtained from SACD's latest report published in November, based on interviews with 45 employees of 29 organisations operating in Assad-held Syria, is that the relationship between the Syrian regime and humanitarian organisations and agencies goes beyond regime interference. There instead appears to be a somewhat symbiotic relationship in which the regime, through different bodies and figures, controls the decision-making process and defines the "red lines" for these organisations, and has considerable influence over determining the beneficiaries.
Throughout the 10 years of conflict in Syria, there has been constant discussion and doubts regarding whether the international aid sent to regime areas was being delivered to the right beneficiaries. Some testimonies and evidence have suggested that some UN aid to Syrians in regime-controlled areas ended up with the regime's military forces or allied militias.
In the conversation with representatives of some of the key countries and institutions involved in Syria about the findings of the report, SACD has welcomed the establishment of a regional oversight mechanism established to eradicate corruption and misuse of aid in the UN and other humanitarian organisations operating in Syria and called for increased transparency of the process.
In November, the Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity (SACD) organized an event that focused on the one common finding among all recent reports by UN COI, HRW, Amnesty International, SNHR and SACD which explicitly state that Syria is not safe for any returns. This event discussed how to, despite all challenges, make concrete steps to prevent premature return from hosting states, to maintain protections for Syrian refugees in the face of reality in Syria and address the worrying trend of gradual normalization of the Syrian regime without measures to stop and achieve accountability for its criminal policies.
The Syrian regime and its backers have for over a year now claimed that Syria is safe – and some European tour agencies have started taking bookings for tours next year, after the regime started issuing tourist visas in October. Various other developments, from readmission to Interpol to diplomatic visits and problematic statements of senior UN officials, speak of the creeping normalization of the regime. Return of displaced Syrians seems to be the next target in this dangerous process.
Yet the world must never forget that Syria, despite Russian propaganda and groups touring the country amid people who may simply "disappear" if they or their relatives say something not pleasing to the regime, is not safe and is unlikely to be so any time soon.
The Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity expressed its concern over deportation procedures of Syrians who have sought refuge in Turkey after experiencing horrifying threat to life in their country. Sending Syrians back to Syria at this time amounts to refoulement, which is contrary to Turkish law and international conventions to which Turkey is a signatory, as it puts their lives at grave danger.
In Denmark, Syrians continued to find themselves targeted by the policy are being forced into detention centers, their lives destroyed, families separated, placed under pressure to return.
One such case is that of Abdel-Raouf Ahmed, who is currently residing in the refugee deportation center in Denmark, who agreed to talk to us about the conditions surrounding him and other Syrian refugees in the deportation centers.
- December 2021
As more than 13 million displaced Syrians continue to suffer harsh living conditions and uncertainty, the apparent steps by sections of international community to normalize the repressive regime of Bashar Al Assad are resulting in a split reality: on one hand that in which returnees to Assad-held areas are subjected to torture and enforced disappearance, women and children in refugee camps in the north dying under indiscriminate bombardment and refugees in increasing number of countries facing a premature, forced return; and the other in which the regime and its backers are organizing return conferences and the senior UN officials openly promoting dependence on the regime to "ensure security" of returnees.
The world must never forget that Syria, despite Russian propaganda and groups touring the country amid people who may simply "disappear" if they or their relatives say something not pleasing to the regime, is not safe and unlikely to be so any time soon.
On the other hand, about two months after the Daraa agreement, which stipulated the withdrawal of medium and light weapons from the city, major concerns have been raised over the security of those wanted by the regime as well as those who have joined the regime forces.
Evidence clearly shows that the Syrian regime, alongside its Russian and Iranian allies, does not aim to use "reconciliation agreements" to establish an environment suitable for the return of the displaced people, but rather to secure full control of the territory with negligible numbers of the original population. The model applied in the south and its resulting effects, confirm once again that the reconciliation model orchestrated by Russia and the Syrian regime, with the support of Iran, is very far from attaining any peace and stability in the region.
The Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity reminded the UN special envoy for Syria and key states working on the political solution that establishing a safe environment, under robust international guarantees, must be the first priority and is an absolute pre-requisite for a safe and dignified return of more than 13 million displaced Syrians who form the majority population of the country.
UN special envoy and key states involved in the apparently ongoing deliberations on return must not ignore the voice of displaced Syrians in this discussion crucial to the future of Syria. Doing so would be a dereliction of duty to the existing legal framework and to the displaced Syrians, and would inevitably render any decision on return meaningless and counter-productive.
"Feeling safe is dependent on more than one aspect. We fear sudden bombing by [Syrian] regime. We fear deterioration of life quality. And we also fear of leaving the house by demand of the house owner." These were the words of Wajdi Al-Jasem, a Syrian from Deir Ezzor, who has been displaced several times and eventually ended up in Idlib.
Feeling safe and the definition of safety in a specific place and time, is a very tricky topic when in it comes to the refugees' subject. Many people think that safety in Syria means the end of war or the end of a direct life-threating situation. Many governments think that they have the right to judge if Syria is safe or not based on their own perspective that they obtain from data.


Calling it "Piece of cake" would be too harsh.
Antricks on 12:03 AM 01/03/2019: Am I to dumb or what about that password for even unzipping the file?
Uzernem on 2:42 PM 01/05/2019: It was easy, thanks.
Easy Crackme. Solution contains description, source code, and commented assembly.
Solution and steps in the comments preceding the code, the rest is a rewrite of the challenge. I hope this answer format is okay!


text:
Capitol Incident Reignites Debate Over Guns In Michigan
Posted at 2:00 pm on January 11, 2021 by Tom Knighton
In 2020, we saw a lot of protests, but one that sparked a lot of outrage didn't involve a single fire, broken window, or stolen television. The reason it sparked outrage was because it had a bunch of guys lawfully carrying firearms while making their voices heard.
It just happened to be in the Michigan capitol.
Now, I've said before that I don't think it was a good move simply because the conversation became about the guns, not the issue they were there to speak out about.
Yet, time and again, I've defended their right to do so even if I think it was a bad strategy.
Last week, a different capitol building saw a group of people wandering their halls, angry at their government, and now some in Michigan are using that to try and justify banning guns in their building.
Concerns over security at Michigan's Capitol have reignited after the U.S. Capitol came under attack by a mob of President Donald Trump's supporters last week.
In Michigan, concealed and open carry firearms are allowed in the Capitol, but signs have been banned since 2012 after right-to-work protesters came to the Capitol.
Since last spring when armed protesters entered the building and yelled at members of security outside the legislative chambers to be let inside, calls to ban firearms in the statehouse have been made, but no changes have come in weapons policies. Changes may now come in the wake of the attack on the U.S Capitol that interrupted Congress's Electoral College vote for Joe Biden as president. Several people died, including a police officer, and numerous people were injured.
The Michigan State Capitol Commission, which is responsible for overseeing the Capitol and ultimately for making a decision on the future of firearms, has pushed back on accepting the responsibility and its leadership maintains its role should be limited.
The commission had scheduled a meeting at the end of the month, but moved up the date to Monday, following the attack last week.
I understand their concern, but there are a few facts they need to consider.
First, the armed protest in the Michigan State Capitol was peaceful. While people were upset and vocal about it, they weren't violent by any stretch of the imagination.
Many of those who stormed the United States Capitol weren't.
In that case, they broke windows, assaulted people, and vandalized congressional offices as well as stole property. They did all that while unarmed.
You see, a case can be made that the U.S. Capitol situation wouldn't have happened if rally-goers had been armed in the first place. People who lawfully carry guns tend to be a bit more cautious about their actions. While I have little doubt they may have approached the Capitol, I seriously doubt any would have entered. Many would likely have left once it became clear things were heading south.
But that's speculation, of course. It's speculation based on long experience with the gun community, but still speculation. I get that.
Yet in Michigan, they were armed and didn't do a damn bit of damage. They were frightening to people who are easily frightened, but that's about it.
Holding Michigan gun owners responsible for what happened in Washington, D.C. would be a significant mistake. Unfortunately, while the commission had seemed uninterested in touching the subject of guns in the capitol, I fear that last week's incident will change their tune.
We'll have to wait and see.
Tags: armed protestsGun ControlGun RightsGunsMichiganMichigan capitol gun ban
Author's Bio: Tom Knighton
Tom Knighton is a Navy veteran, a former newspaperman, a novelist, and a blogger and lifetime shooter. He lives with his family in Southwest Georgia. He also puts out a daily newsletter of non-Second Amendment stories at https://tomknighton.substack.com/
More posts from Tom Knighton

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


If you could be a Big Bang Theory character for the day, who would you be?
After more than nine years together, the gang finally celebrates Sheldon's birthday, surprising him with a special guest, on the 200th episode of The Big Bang Theory.
The title refers to Sheldon's decision to allow his friends to celebrate his birthday with a party.
This was the 200th episode of The Big Bang Theory.
Penny: So what's going on?
Sheldon: I don't know. I looked around the room, and I saw all the faces and the presents, and it it was just too much.
Penny: I get that. Hey, you want to just bring a few people in here? You know, Wil Wheaton in the bathtub, Batman on the toilet. It'll be like the weirdest Comic-Con ever.
Amy: We've got someone who couldn't be here but really wanted to wish you a happy birthday.
Stephen Hawking: Happy birthday to you.
Sheldon: Oh, you're singing. Well, I'm sorry.
Stephen Hawking: Happy birthday, dear Sheldon.
Leonard: Uh, Professor Hawking, if you just give us one second, we'll light the candles, and we can all sing together.
Stephen Hawking: I was crushing it, but all right.
Raj: You know, Adam West is my favorite Batman? Well, after Michael Keaton, Christian Bale and Batman from The Lego Movie.
Howard: Don't say that to him.
Raj: What? He beat out George Clooney. And that's something. Like, I love me some Clooney.
Leonard: Don't say that to anyone.
Leonard: Sheldon, we've been together so long, it's hard to remember a time you weren't in my life. And believe me, I try.
You make me a better scientist.
You're more than just my roommate, you're my brother.
Leslie Winkle: Uh, in the past, I would've said something obnoxious, like, "Happy birthday, dumbass". But I'm not gonna do it. You and I have both grown a lot, and it's just so nice to see you all again. So happy birthday, Sheldon.
Sheldon: Oh. Oh, now, you know I hate change. Say it.
Leslie Winkle: Happy birthday, dumbass!


Birmingham, Alabama, is a city of many contrasts, which make it a fascinating destination for visitors. It is certainly a place rich in historical and cultural significance, but it also has a developing culinary scene and contemporary vibe that makes it full of opportunities for new discoveries. After visiting Birmingham, you will understand the great appeal of what is called the New South. It is a city that is embracing the future while never forgetting its turbulent past.
Hampton Inn & Suites Birmingham Downtown-Tutwiler Hotel. This National Historic Landmark, built in 1914, just oozes with traditional southern elegance while offering upscale modern amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast. The hotel's Century Restaurant and Bar is a stylish retreat for guests wanting to relax after a day of sightseeing. The Tutwiler Hotel is centrally located in the heart of downtown Birmingham close to restaurants and museums.
Urban Standard. The welcoming charm of this casual breakfast and lunch spot in a beautifully renovated building is intentionally reminiscent of European cafes. Whether you want Creamy Grits or Biscuits and Redeye Gravy for breakfast or a classic chicken salad sandwich or Hippie Gumbo for lunch, you will be totally impressed with its enticing Southern cuisine and character.
Niki's West. A Birmingham institution since 1957, this is another relaxing, welcoming spot with southern specialties for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Try biscuits with smoked sausage for a special treat.
Eagles Restaurant. You can't leave Birmingham without sampling authentic soul food and you'll find it at Eagles, which has been family-owned since 1951. Andrew Zimmern from "Bizarre Foods America" on the Travel Channel featured this causal diner and its classic soul food favorites such as collard greens, stewed okra, black-eyed peas, chitterlings, fried pork chops, and a local favorite—pig feet and ears. And Eagles has the best cornbread you've ever tasted.
This may be the most celebrated restaurant in Alabama, but make sure you have reservations way in advance. Owned by renowned chef, Frank Stitt, this French bistro-styled gourmet restaurant is full of elegant ambiance and the hearty French food is innovative and delicious. Try escargots, sautéed trout with brown butter, homemade charcuterie, delicious pates and coq au vin, along with an extensive wine list featuring French wines.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. This museum is an absolute must during a visit to Birmingham because it depicts the crucial role the city played in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s, but also because it focuses on human rights throughout the world. The museum does not sugarcoat the volatile periods of the city's civil rights history, but it does reflect the lessons learned and emphasizes how the city and the South are moving forward positively. Vibrant exhibits, including dramatic videos and photographs, make history come alive. And right across the street is the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, the site where four small girls tragically died as the result of a Ku Klux Klan bomb in 1963.
Barber Motorsport Museum. This architecturally impressive museum features 1400 exhibits of stunning vintage to modern motorcycles and race cars, many very rare. This museum will convince you that these intiricately designed vehicles are works of art.
Birmingham Museum of Art. This nationally recognized regional museum presents more than 26,000 works from 3000 B.C. to the present, including collections of African, American, Asian, Pre-Columbian and Native American art. It also regularly features impressive traveling exhibits.
The Peanut Depot: Since 1907, the old roasting ovens here have been churning out delicious peanuts. You feel like you are stepping into a page out of history, but it's surprising that these roasters are still roasting. It is worth visiting for the smell alone.
Jones Valley Teaching Farm: Children in the area learn about how to grow nutritious produce and prepare healthy meals. Celebrated Southern chefs sometimes visit and give cooking lessons to school children. Visitors are welcome to both buy produce and tour the lovely gardens.
Avondale Brewing Company. This casual, inviting brewery and bar and exudes the friendliness of the Deep South with its own handcrafted beers, making it a great stop for a tasty sampling or brewery tour for a break during your sightseeing.
Kelly Ingram Park: This historic park was a staging area for civil rights confrontations and demonstrations led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others. Dramatic sculptures throughout the park depict police dog and hose assaults on demonstrators. A guided audio tour is available for visitors through their mobile phones.
There is so much more to do than this sampling listed here. Go to the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau website for more information on all there is to do in this great city.
Photos by Allan Kissam and Susan Montgomery.


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Once in a rare while a songwriter emerges that is so different from the rest of the commercial tripe on the market that it demands we take notice.
Lukas Graham is one of those artists.
Son of an Irish father and Danish mother, Graham was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on September 18, 1988, where he grew up in the town of Christiania.
His father died at the age of 61, leaving an indelible mark on the young Graham. An experience that has left its fingerprints throughout Graham's music.
With a raw honesty rarely seen in musicians nowadays, Graham's songs broach such topics as loss, death, pain, and aging, all with a reflective component that makes you pause and take stock of your own life.
Graham's unique pop-soul hybrid sound (combined with the occasional perfect piano accompaniment) buttressed against his melancholy far-beyond-his-age lyrics, has made me an instant fan.
The song Mama Said about growing up in poverty, also reminds us to keep family and friends close, while What Happened to Perfect can easily be the song countless couples cling to while desperately trying to salvage a fading relationship.
You're not There is an anthem for sons who regret their dad's passing before being able to show their dads what kind of a man they've become.
One of my favorite songs on Graham's self-titled album is entitled, Happy Home.
With the exception of songs like Strip No More (a song about "a stripper who stopped stripping") and Drunk in the Morning (a song about, well, being drunk in the morning), all of Graham's songs have the thread of family, friendship, and loss running through them. Which, for me, is what I love about this album.
Lukas Graham is clearly not your typical songwriter. In a world of Gagas, Mileys, and Beibers, it is truly refreshing to have discovered this young musician.
Even if you don't care for his particular style of music, you can't argue that his subject matter is an oasis in a landscape of noise that makes up most of today's music.
If you've never listened to Lukas Graham, I leave you with his song, 7 Years.
Previous postA little Twitter humor to begin your week.
I highly recomend Josh Garrels as well. Good writing good music. Thanks for sharing this.
Oh my, what to say. Can't say I like this particular style of music, but I listened to every word and watched every scene of the video. Very poignant and strangely, I felt that I could relate to the words. Once I was seven years old and now closing in too quickly on 60 years old. Time goes by at such a rapid pace.
Yes, Mark, that's what I found so poignant about the song. We are like a vapor, here today, gone tomorrow. And will our kids even visit us when we're old?
Almost all of the songs on his album contain some element of reflection on life and death. The loss of his father left an indelible mark on his music, a mark that I hope doesn't get wiped away by his recent fame.


text:
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged
Darby's Synopsis
Wells of Living Water
Horae Homileticae
Bridges' on Proverbs
Ironside's Notes
Restoration Commentary
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Hardeneth his neck, - with stiff neck, like cattle who try to toss off the yoke, and will not be turned (Isaiah 48:4; Jeremiah 17:23).
Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy - like Eli's sons, often reproved, but in vain (1 Samuel 2:25); and Israel (2 Chronicles 36:16; Proverbs 6:15; Proverbs 1:24-27; Matthew 18:15-17; Titus 3:10).
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Proverbs 11:10; Proverbs 28:12; Proverbs 28:28, notes.
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
Whoso loveth wisdom (and therefore shuns harlots and dissipation) "rejoiceth his father" (by retaining and increasing his substance):
But he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance - and therefore grieveth his father.
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
He that receiveth gifts overthroweth it - literally, 'a man of oblations.' Terumoth is elsewhere sacred oblations. So here, 'a man who wishes oblations to be offered him as if he were a priest' (Rabbi Salomon). (Ezekiel 45:13.)
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet - (Prov. 36:24-25; 28:23 .) So far from acting the part of a friend, he acts that of the great enemy, who lays snares to destroy men (2 Timothy 2:26; Acts 24:2-4, Tertullus). Even the godly are tempted aside by flattery. Darius' flatterers ensnared him into a plot for the ruin of his godly favourite, Daniel (Daniel 6:6-7; Daniel 6:9; Daniel 6:14).
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
In the transgression of an evil man (there is) a snare (he brings ruin on himself by his transgression):
But the righteous doth sing and rejoice. While the evil man promises himself liberty, he is ensnared in not only sin, but sin's consequence-destruction and sorrow: the opposite to the 'rejoicing' of the righteous (2 Peter 2:19-20). "Sing" exultingly, triumphing in his deliverance by the Lord.
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor (Psalms 41:1 ): (but) the wicked regardeth not to know it.
Though there is no gain, but much trouble, attending the just and merciful consideration of the cause of the poor, yet the righteous take all pains about it. The wicked do not care to know it; or if they know it, act as if they knew it not.
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
Scornful men (who, when reproved for sin, not only do not repent, but scorn at divine and human laws) bring a city into a snare. Scorners are especially dangerous in the legislature, as they sneer at all warnings of danger caused to the State by innovations against the divine law. Dangers are no longer light when they are despised as light. "Bring into a snare" [ yaapiychuw (H6315), from puwach (H6315), 'a snare']; or, as margin, 'set on fire' (from piyach, a spark); or, 'blow violently upon' (from naapach, to blow) - i:e., excite seditions in a city.
But wise (men) turn away wrath - the wrath of God, incurred by the city through scornful men (Ezekiel 22:30; Exodus 32:10-14; Psalms 106:23).
If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
(If) a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, (there is) no rest - (Matthew 11:17.) The wise man may try all ways to gain the fool to piety, which is wisdom; but when the wise tries anger with him, the fool becomes more angry; and when he tries pleasantry, the fool misunderstands it. The fool gives his wise admonisher "no rest." He has always an excuse, accusation, or retort to give. He misinterprets kindness as the result of fear or stratagem, and becomes more insolent; roughness as the result of a wish to domineer harshly.
The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
The blood-thirsty hate the upright (as virtually, and often verbally condemning their mode of life, 1 John 3:12-13; John 7:7; and therefore "seek" to destroy them):
But the just seek his soul - to save it, (Psalms 142:4, margin.)
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
A fool uttereth all his mind (Hebrew, spirit; he rashly babbles out whatever is in his mind, without regard to persons, place, or time, Judges 16:17; Proverbs 12:23):
But a wise (man) keepeth it in till afterward - until a suitable time and place be presented. Gejer translates, 'backwards;' maketh his feelings, when pressing forward for utterance, to go back to their former receptacle. A fool's words are in the very front of his mind, and the gate is always open for their going forth: the wise man's words are in the further and interior recess of his mind (Proverbs 14:33).
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants (are) wicked - for they are sure to imitate him. As is the master, so will be his men. Rulers do as much injury by their bad example as by their bad deeds. How guarded those in authority ought to be, considering their responsibilities! Let servants, too, learn, in choosing places, to have regard to piety more than to gain.
The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
The poor and the deceitful man (Hebrew, the usurer; the creditor, the Septuagint and Vulgate. The poor who is oppressed, and the rich creditor who oppresses him) "meet together; the Lord lighteneth both their eyes" - i:e., gives life to both alike (Psalms 13:4; Proverbs 22:2, note). They both meet on the same footing in many respects, and are mutually dependent on one another; notwithstanding their accidental and temporary differences in respect to wealth. They ought not, therefore, to complain of one another, but to walk as in the presence of God, and with mutual kindness and good faith. Religion elevates the poor, makes humble the rich (James 1:9-10).
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
The king that faithfully judgeth (without partiality to the rich, does justice to) the poor, his throne shall be established forever (Proverbs 20:28; Proverbs 25:5).
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
The rod and reproof give wisdom (Proverbs 22:15 ): but a child left (to himself) bringeth his mother to shame.
The mother, by her weakness and over-indulgence, was most in fault, and therefore shall bear the chief "shame" of her son's misconduct.
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth. The more there are of the wicked, the bolder in transgression they are, by reason of their mutual example and solicitations to sin. What is done by most men, however bad, is regarded as sanctioned by the numbers.
But the righteous (need not be disheartened by the flourishing prevalence of wickedness, for they) "shall see their fall" (Psalms 58:10; Psalms 59:10).
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest (from all the anxieties which ungodly children cause their parents); yea, he shall give (not only rest, but also) delight unto thy soul - which will richly compensate for the slight and passing pain which thou hast had when correcting him.
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Where (there is) no vision, the people perish. Where there is no setting forth of the will of God, whether by special revelation, as in old times (Psalms 74:9; Lamentations 2:9; Ezekiel 7:26), or by the ordinary ministrations of God's ministers and God's Word, as now, "the people perish." The Hebrew verb [ yipaara` (H6544)] means 'are dissipated;' also 'revolt,' 'become unbridled,' and so perish. To this unbridled, and consequently ruinous state, is opposed in the parallel clause, "happy;" as "the law" stands in contrast to "no vision." Such did the Jews become, instead of their former happy state, when they rejected the Word of the Lord; and consequently lost their kingdom and place. The Hebrew means also 'to be made naked.' A people without God's Word and God's favour is stripped naked of its comely garments, and its defense against shame and injury (2 Chronicles 28:19; Exodus 32:25; Ephesians 6:14-17). Those who take from the people the Word of God hand them over naked to Satan for destruction.
But he (the people, and each individual in it) that keepeth the law (not merely heareth it) happy is he (Luke 8:21).
A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
A servant (a slave in spirit, not a free son of God, enslaved to lust, who does no duty from love, but only when driven by fear, John 8:34-35; Romans 8:15; 1 John 4:18).
Will not be corrected by words (but only by stripes, Proverbs 19:29);
For though he understand (what you say), he will not answer - to your call, by obeying your command. He does not in act answer to your wishes. Contrast Job 14:15,
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
A man ... hasty in his words (Proverbs 29:11; Proverbs 18:13; James 1:19)?
There is more hope of a fool ... Proverbs 26:12 says the same of a 'man wise in his own conceit.' Self-sufficiency and loquacity are close akin.
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become (his) son at the length.
Each should be kept in his place. All are the worse of too much license. "Give unto your servants that which is just and equal," but no more (Colossians 4:1). 'Solomon's servant,' Jeroboam, seems to have forgotten his place through the indulgence given to him in youth by the king, and so became a rebel (1 Kings 11:26-40; Sir 33:25 ). 'If thou set thy servant to labour, thou shalt find rest; but if thou let him go idle, he shall seek liberty; because idleness teacheth much evil.'
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
Proverbs 15:18.
A furious man aboundeth in transgression - Hebrew, pashang; daring and profane transgression, such as passionate oaths, taking God's name in vain (Proverbs 19:3).
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 18:12; Luke 14:11.
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth (acts as if he hated) his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not. He bringeth destruction on himself; because he 'heareth the voice of swearing' (Leviticus 5:1) - i:e., the public adjuration, calling on any who could give information as to the "thief," and yet withholdeth the testimony which he could give if he liked. This verse also forbids our hearing our neighbour curse or commit any crime, and yet not rebuking him (Leviticus 19:17).
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
The fear of man bringeth a snare - entrapping men in danger, guilt, and punishment. The father of the faithful, through fear of man, twice denied his wife, Genesis 12:1-20; Genesis 20:1-18. So Isaac, Genesis 26:7. 'Be afraid of nothing more than the detestable cowardice of a selfish and unbelieving heart' (Venn). (John 7:13; John 9:22; John 12:42-43.)
But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe - Hebrew, shall be set on high (cf. margin, Proverbs 18:10; Isaiah 33:16). He who feareth God always (Proverbs 28:14), need never fear man.
Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
Many seek the ruler's favour (literally, face; namely, that he may give sentence in their favour):
But (every) man's judgment (cometh) from the Lord. Yahweh is the true and primary source of all decisions: nothing happens except by His permission (Proverbs 21:1). By Him, too, we shall be ultimately judged. Therefore commit thy cause to Him.
An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
An unjust man is an abomination to the just (because the unjust is an abomination to the God of the just, Psalms 15:4);
And (he that is) upright in the way (is) abomination to the wicked. Mutual enmity from the first has subsisted between the woman's seed and the serpent's seed (Proverbs 29:10; Genesis 3:15; Psalms 139:21-22). There is, however, this difference: the upright abominate the sin, but love the person of the sinner; the wicked abominate alike the ways and the persons of the upright.
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Proverbs 29". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jfu/proverbs-29.html. 1871-8.


Welcome back to another week of our Summer Series. This week we are featuring Minnesota. Make sure you are hitting up Cam's team breakdowns for the latest in the Eastern Edge Series as well.
In 2017-18 Minnesota captured the third spot in the Central Division standings with 101 points. The regular season was largely a successful one, but as with previous seasons the playoffs proved to be a challenge. There were some individual success as well with Eric Staal, Mat Dumba, and Jason Zucker all having strong performances.
Matt Dumba took advantage of injuries in 2017-18 and certainly showed that he deserves a bigger role. Take a look at those defensemen who were ranked near him at the end of the season; John Klingberg, Tyson Barrie and Erik Karlsson. Pretty impressive company. Alex Edler is up there too, but he is also heavily rewarded for his style of play with these scoring categories. Dumba was typically not a drafted defenseman and the other scorers in this list have an average draft position of 90. In short Dumba was incredible value if you managed to grab him.
In 2017-18, Dumba had career highs in goals, assists, shots, power play points, hits, and blocks. It is no wonder then that his value skyrocketed.
He did it with the help of career high total time on ice and power play time on ice numbers. We have some strong evidence from many of his underlying numbers that this is the case, and that it wasn't the result of some fluke shooting percentage. So where did this increase come from? Most of it came because of injuries on Minnesota's blue line and unfortunately it is hard to count on a player who needs a teammate's injury to reach his potential. However I will say this, Minnesota (and fantasy managers) got a taste of what Dumba can provide if given the opportunity, and Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Suter do not have the best track records of staying healthy. That adds up to a high likelihood of opportunity for Dumba and all he will have to do is take it. So will I be taking him of Erik Karlsson in 2018-19? Definitely not, but I am sure going to have him higher on my drafting list than at the beginning of 2017-18.
Jason Zucker put in an excellent 2017-18 season. He was the 22nd most valuable winger in the league, just after Johnny Hockey himself and Patrick Kane, and the 91st ranked player overall. He had an average draft ranking of 234, meaning in many leagues he either wasn't drafted or was someone's shot in the dark pick. Not too bad to have your hail mary turn out to be comparable to Johnny Gaudreau and Patrick Kane.
Jason Zucker has been a player on the rise for the last three seasons. He has seen consistent increases in his goals, assists, and shots over the last several years. The big thing that changed for 2017-18 is a big increase in time on ice (from just over 15 minutes to almost 17 minutes a game) and essentially all of that time on the power play.
In 2017-18 Zucker saw career highs in just about every counted category above, so it is not surprise that he saw a huge gain in value during the season. The question, as always, is can he do it again next year? While he played the most minutes with Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund, he was more effective when playing with Eric Staal and Nino Niederreiter, both at even strength and on the power play. He finished the regular season with Staal and Niederreiter, which could bode well not 2018-19, but it certainly isn't a guarantee.
Zucker had a large jump in point production in 2017-18 and 16 power play points certainly help (his previous high was two). Clearly deployment was a key factor for him. If he gets the same opportunity in 2018-19 it seems likely he could have a similar season. One note though, Zucker did have a bit of an inflated shooting percentage (could be a result of better opportunities on the power play), which if it regresses to the norm would mean about six fewer goals if he had a similar season again in 2018-19.
As with Jeff Carter last week, Zach Parise is artificially dropped in the rankings because they are based on full season performance and if you only suit up for 42 games you aren't going to score well.
That said though I am not as convinced there would have been a lot more to offer from a 'full' season from Parise. He has played an average of 64 games over the last four seasons and at his point pace from 2017-18 that would be 36 points. The one possible bright spot is that he is still close to averaging three shots a game.
After looking into some of the numbers, the prognosis is not positive for Zach Parise. He has been losing ice time steadily since 2011-12, now down to 17 minutes a night from 21.5. He has managed to hang on to some power play time (almost two and a half minutes in 2017-18), but that has also been declining in recent seasons. His power play points are down in a big way as well, with only three on the board for 2017-18. He also has been seeing decreasing point per game numbers since 2013-14 to a low in 2017-18 of .57. The worst part is that his lowest point per game numbers were inflated by the second highest shooting percentage of his career. Oh and Parise is 34, well along the aging curve.
It is certainly possible that Parise will get halfway decent deployment in 2018-19, it is also possible that he may see a slight rebound in power play points if he gets that deployment. I would not bet much on it though. It seems as though age is catching up big time and I would be very cautious about grabbing Parise come draft day (unless of course a .6 point-per-game winger who is likely to miss at least a third of the season is valuable to you…).


text:
Q: Find a triangle in a graph using an algorithm with a specific run time I need to find an algorithm that finds triangular cycles in an undirected graph. The runtime of the algorithm should be n^2,81
I really do not know how I can achieve this. Would be great if anyone could help!
Thanks!

A: The algorithm you search is matrix multiplication.
Multiply adjacency matrix with itself three times and search for non zero entrees in the main diagonal.
matrix multiplication is O(N^2.81):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix_multiplication_algorithm
EDIT:
Recall that in the ith row of the adjacency matrix there will be '1' for each vertex connected to i, the same goes for the column.
When you multiply the matrix with itself, (M^2)ij = sum (Mik*Mkj). in other words (M^2)ij is the number of 2-edge paths from i to j.
Now if you multiply again to get M^3, in every cell (M^3)ij there will be the number of 3-edge paths from i to j. so in the main diagonal (M^3)ii there will be the number of 3-edge paths from i to i, a triangle.

A: Another way is to use a modified version of the Breadth-first search algorithm. Try to think the simple graph you can have, a triangle. Start from any vertex with BFS and stores who is the parent node and the distance from the root.
Whenever you encounter an already visited (but not finished vertex), that you can simple color gray, you have to check the distance and the parent.
   B     Start BFS from A: node A has dist=0, parent=Null
  / \                      node B has dist=1, parent=A
 /   \                     node C has dist=1, parent=A
A - - C

For example you are now on C, B his already visited and A is finished (Black), now you check the adjacent of C, you see B and check if the distance is the same and if you have the same parent, if true you have found a triangle, if not you encountered a cycle but not a triangle.
This will be better than O(n^2)
The complexity of this algorithm (BFS) is the number of vertex + the number of edges: O(|V| + |E|).

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Who are the children that we might see on Good Friday?
Are these children from the regular congregation, or visitors, or a mixture? How much will they know of the story? What will they know about Jesus apart from his birth at Christmas and his death?
Will they be back for Easter Sunday?
At my last parish, when Good Friday fell the day after school broke up, we had several families come to our Children's Stations of the Cross.
"See you on Sunday!" I called as they were leaving.
"Oh, no, we're off on holiday tomorrow – we just came to this before we left," they replied.
Our service had ended with Jesus dead in the tomb, waiting, suspended, for the last chapter of the story on Sunday morning – and these families were going to miss it. If your children may not be back for Sunday – incomprehensible as it seems to miss that of all days – maybe it's worth including, at the end of the service, the reassurance that the story doesn't end here. Don't do a full-fledged celebration of Easter, but perhaps allow them to peek behind the curtain and see a preview of what comes next.
And then make sure you celebrate the whole season of Easter, all 50 days, so they can join in the celebration of the resurrection when they come back from wherever they are on Easter morning.
What will happen for them between now and Sunday?
If they are likely to be back on Sunday morning, what will happen for them between now and then? Will Saturday be a day of quiet waiting, or of celebrating? Will any of them be at the Vigil? How will they mark the transition from death to life – will there be middle-of-the-night mystery, or will they show up on Sunday morning and find the resurrection a fait accompli? What will those different experiences be like, and does this change how you approach your Good Friday service in any way?
Are you providing children's programmes during an adult service, or are you doing a family service? If the children are away from their parents, what experiences, if any, will they have in common with their parents from today? Can you and the adult worship leaders work together to provide some links for families to carry on observing the day at home – maybe a take-home activity to do together, or some talking points?
How do they experience the space?
Are they in a church or a programme room? What mood does the space set? Is it relaxed and informal – if so, how do you get the awe and wonder of today's mystery? Is it formal and dignified – if so, how do you encourage children to relax enough to fully participate? Where is the light and darkness in the space? Where is the noise and the silence?
What questions am I likely to get?
It's impossible to prepare for every question that something as raw and primal as Good Friday might bring up, but you may be called upon to address such questions as "why did God let Jesus die?" "why won't God raise my nan if he can raise Jesus?" "why are there still cruel things like Syria if Jesus has made it all okay?" and so on. It might help to spend some time in prayer, considering how to address these issues.
It may also help to think a bit about your own theology of what Good Friday means.
The idea of Jesus dying to satisfy the wrath of a vengeful God has become very ingrained in many churches – so much that many people don't know there are other theories. But this theology is, for many people, deeply troubling, and doesn't fit with the characterisation of a faithful God who calls his people time and time again, who keeps his covenants with them. It might be helpful to consider re-framing the event as Jesus dying not to satisfy God's bloodlust but to do battle with death itself. The greatest enemy is death, and this is the Good News – not that God is no longer angry with us, but that death itself no longer holds any power over us.
If you're in a school, baby and toddler group, or other setting where you have some time, the children can make bread. There are lots of unleavened bread recipes on the internet – even very young children can help add ingredients, stir, and shape the dough. Some unleavened bread recipes bakes in as little as 15 minutes – while it bakes, you can tell the story, do some singing and prayers, and finish by eating the bread you've baked.
Start with a bring and share dinner, replicating, to some extent, the Last Supper. While Passover celebrations in Jesus's time would have been very different from modern ones (and there's some debate as to whether the Last Supper was a Passover meal), if you ask people to bring a dish based around lamb, bread, or grape juice, you have a way in to telling the Passover story, connecting it symbolically to the Last Supper, and affirming the central roles played by these foods in both stories.
Why not have the congregation was each other's feet, instead of having the priest do it all? This gives children a chance to serve as well as be served, reinforces that we all serve one another, and allows them a more hands-on experience with water and with care-giving touch.
If possible, include at least a few children in helping with stripping the altar.
Have prayer stations around the church related to the Maundy Thursday story – plants to touch and smell (the garden of Gethsemane), bread and grape juice (the Eucharist), silver coins, and nails (Judas's betrayal and the crucifixion). Write a short reflection or prayer for people to read or use as they go from station to station.
If your Eucharist service will have children present, and they don't receive communion, what other opportunities will there be for them to engage with the centrality of the Last Supper story to this particular Eucharist? How can you help them feel less left out? Maybe you can have a bread tasting table as people arrive, with bread from different parts of the world – naan, brioche, matzoh, scones, etc.
If you have a separate children's event for Maundy Thursday, don't lose the drama of the adult service, with its transition from light to darkness. This is a really potent way for children to experience Holy Week – light to darkness and back to even greater light. Don't shy away.
If you have music during the stripping of the altar or processions, make it child-friendly – Taize chants are very good for this, and this one is particularly appropriate for Maundy Thursday or Good Friday.
Display, around the church, a variety of artists' interpretations of the Last Supper and Jesus's arrest in Gethsemane. Invite the congregation to walk around and look at them (if your congregation isn't the "get out and walk around" type, you can provide copies of the images in their service sheets or on screens) and reflect on the different feelings created by the different images. Provide blank paper and pencils/markers for children to draw their own version of the story during the service.
If you have a live donkey, encourage children to invite friends to come to Palm Sunday. The donkey can be a real selling point, and allow children who might otherwise be shy a way in to asking friends to church.
If you don't have a live donkey, spend your children's time this Sunday making a banner, or donkey puppets, or posters (which you can then laminate and put on sticks to make placards) or something else, for children to carry or use in the procession.
Buy real palms, not just palm crosses. The fun of waving around big branches adds a real element of participation and excitement to this festival. And they're not that expensive. If you have a large church garden, or parishioners with large gardens, you could ask people to bring in a branch or two from whatever shrubs or small trees they have, or provide branches from the church garden.
The Passion reading is very dramatic, but many churches stick to the traditional way of reading it – a few adults standing in a line at the front.
With an hour's rehearsal, the adults can dramatise it – act it out, use simple costume pieces – or with a bit more time, you could include children.
Include the congregation as the crowd and the soldiers. The drama of going, in half an hour, from shouting "hosanna!" to shouting "crucify him!" is incredibly powerful, and underlines the culpability of all of us in the death of Jesus. It wasn't a few specific people in a faraway time who bear the guilt of his death – it's the sin we all share.
Many churches will be singing "All Glory, Laud, and Honour" – the chorus is easy to learn, and allows children to participate more fully in the procession. Take some time the week before, or a few minutes at the start of your procession, to teach the chorus so children can sing it with the rest of the congregation.
Send home materials for the Holy Week Box, a wonderful way of extending children's exploration of the story at home throughout the week.
The Old Testament story (if you're using Exodus) easily lends itself to being acted out, with no rehearsal needed. Grab a baby doll, a basket, some blue fabric to be the river, and a crown for Pharaoh's daughter, and ask for volunteers from the congregation to bring it to life as you read it. Be careful that you don't play it for laughs, though – this is a serious story of a mother's sacrifice, that led ultimately to the liberation of God's people.
Pass out heart-shaped paper to every member of the congregation as they come in. During the prayer time, ask them to reflect on all the women who have played a mother's role in their life, and write their names down. Young children can draw a picture. Collect these hearts and display them somewhere in the church. Bless them, and the women whose names are on them.
Don't forget to pray for: adoptive mothers, foster mothers, stepmothers, godmothers, grandmothers, and all those who play a mother's role in a child's life. Don't forget people who have suffered from abusive mothers, for whom the celebration of motherhood may feel like an affront. Don't forget those whose mothers have died, and who are grieving. Don't forget those women struggling with infertility, who long to be mothers and feel left out and isolated. Don't forget women whose children have died, for whom Mother's Day is another reminder of their loss. Be pastoral.
Think about the tradition of "Mother Church." This can provide the start for a great talk, or for wondering together – in what ways is the church like a mother? How do we all mother each other? How can we do it better? How can we mother our community?


The convicted killer and suspect in the death of American teenager Natalee Holloway will get married in a Peruvian prison this month.
It's official! Joran van der Sloot, the 26-year-old Dutch native who was convicted of killing 21-year old Peruvian Stephany Flores in 2010 and twice-jailed under suspicion of killing American teen Natalee Holloway in 2005, is tying the knot sometime before the end of the month.
The news came on Thursday when the official wedding announcement was published in classified section of the La Razon tabloid newspaper. According to the announcement, van der Sloot will wed 24-year-old Leidy Carol Figueroa Uceda, an accountant who lives in Lima. The wedding will take place at the Municipality of Ancon in a special section inside the walls of the Pidras Gordas-Ancon Penitentiary where van der Sloot is serving out a 28-year-sentence for murdering Flores. By law, all intended couples must publish their marital edict ten days before they wed to give any one with just cause a chance to step forward and protest. The edict says "any persons that can express any legal impediment can denounce" the nuptials.
Van Der Sloot has been denied an annulment of his murder sentence, but he has managed enough freedom while behind bars to father the child Uceda is expecting in September. Uceda, whose father runs a concession business inside the prison, regularly made the rounds with the candy and cigarette cart in van der Sloot's wing. Apparently, the two fell in love and she was able to change van der Sloot's wicked ways. According to the pre-nuptial psychiatric report all fiancés must undergo prior to marriage in Peru, van der Sloot has shown the "will to change." According to the report, obtained by The Daily Beast, he also displays "awareness of the crime committed, and is learning basic social skills of communication, tolerance of frustration and empathy" —certainly useful tools in any marriage.
According to the report, van der Sloot has been working on his moral values and conflict resolution, and "claims to have become conscious of the crime committed and the harm caused to the family of the victim and to society." Van der Sloot, who confessed to killing Flores, says he lost his head when the young Peruvian he met at a poker tournament found sensitive information on his laptop about Natalee Holloway, who he is also suspected of killing. There is no mention of Holloway in the psychiatric report.
He may be a changed man now, but he is still a long way from being free. When he completes his sentence in Peru, he could theoretically face extradition proceedings in the United States to serve his extortion sentence, though his lawyer Maximo Altez told The Daily Beast that the statue of limitations will have run out by then. "He'll do nine years in prison and then will be set free on parole," said Altez in Peru. "He may get a reduction awarded by his studies. In any case, he'll have to finish his 28-year sentence in Peru so the statute of limitations in the state of Arizona will kick-in when he finishes his sentence here and he won't be extradited to the U.S."
While behind bars, van der Sloot has also been pursuing his education by seeking a degree in international business through a correspondence course with the Alas Peruanas, or Peruvian Wings University. "He's also teaching English to other inmates and the guards and he walks around the prison and has great relations with everyone," Altez said. "He's a likable person and is charismatic. He's very social and plays soccer with the other inmates."
The convicted murderer is also thrilled that he will become a new father in September. "They're expecting a girl and is very happy to be a father. He saw the ultrasound image and was ecstatic. They are both very happy," Altez said. "His fiancé was pregnant with another man's child when she first met Joran and that baby boy is white, but Joran is not the father. All the prisoners tease him that they look alike, but he isn't the father. Joran does act like a dad though, because he is very loving."
Now all van der Sloot and his bride-to-be have to do is wait out the ten days to see if anyone objects. If all goes forward, the wedding will be attended by two invited guests and a handful of prison inmates. "If no one objects, he will be granted license to marry," Altez said, adding that they will have to present a request to the prison director to set a definitive date to hold the ceremony inside the prison. He will then hire a car to take the notary public to the prison on the day of the wedding.
The most likely people to object are Holloway's parents, who so far have not commented on the impending nuptials, and Flores's father, who has said that he wants the man who killed his daughter to die in prison. "He murdered a girl who is the daughter of an influential entrepreneur of Peru," said Altez. "I understand the father because of the pain he carries and naturally, he would oppose Joran's parole. We are aware that he will be there to oppose that and complicate it as much as possible. He hasn't said anything about the marriage, though. I don't think that's something that would worry him anyway. I think he's more interested in keeping Joran behind bars."
Despite the murder conviction and suspicion in Holloway's disappearance, Altez doesn't understand why anyone would stand in the way of his client's happiness: "He just wants to be a loving father, husband and he wants to have an education. Why is that such a bad thing? People demonize him instead of applauding the fact that he's trying to re-socialize himself."


Minnie loves anything that squeaks, no matter the shape, size or how fuzzy it might, or might not, be. Minnie looooves people! When she sees the neighbors, she does the full Greyhound body wiggle! Minnie loves to ride in the golf cart, especially to the mailbox even on Sunday!!


1,682 people attended the Wednesday, January 27, 2010 game between the Val-d'Or Foreurs and the P.E.I. Rocket at the Charlottetown Civic Centre in Charlottetown, PE. That's 45.3% of the Charlottetown Civic Centre's capacity of 3,717 and 18.2% below the Rocket 2009-2010 average of 2,055.